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*batteries not included

  • 19871987
  • PGPG
  • 1h 46min
IMDb RATING
6.7/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,417
2,579
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
Apartment block tenants seek the aid of alien mechanical life-forms to save their building from demolition.
Play trailer1:18
1 Video
39 Photos
ComedyFamilyFantasy

Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.Aliens help a feisty old New York couple in their battle against the ruthless land developer who's out to evict them.

IMDb RATING
6.7/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
4,417
2,579
  • Director
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Writers
    • Mick Garris(story by)
    • Brad Bird(screenplay by)
    • Matthew Robbins(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Hume Cronyn
    • Jessica Tandy
    • Frank McRae
Top credits
  • Director
    • Matthew Robbins
  • Writers
    • Mick Garris(story by)
    • Brad Bird(screenplay by)
    • Matthew Robbins(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Hume Cronyn
    • Jessica Tandy
    • Frank McRae
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 90User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
    • 54Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 1 nomination

    Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:18
    Official Trailer

    Photos39

    *batteries not included (1987)
    Elizabeth Peña, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Dennis Boutsikaris, and Frank McRae in *batteries not included (1987)
    Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
    Elizabeth Peña, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Dennis Boutsikaris, and Frank McRae in *batteries not included (1987)
    Elizabeth Peña, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, Dennis Boutsikaris, and Frank McRae in *batteries not included (1987)
    Elizabeth Peña and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
    Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
    Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and Luis Guzmán in *batteries not included (1987)
    Jessica Tandy in *batteries not included (1987)
    Jessica Tandy in *batteries not included (1987)
    Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn in *batteries not included (1987)
    Elizabeth Peña, Jessica Tandy, Hume Cronyn, and Dennis Boutsikaris in *batteries not included (1987)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Hume Cronyn
    Hume Cronyn
    • Frank Rileyas Frank Riley
    Jessica Tandy
    Jessica Tandy
    • Faye Rileyas Faye Riley
    Frank McRae
    Frank McRae
    • Harry Nobleas Harry Noble
    Elizabeth Peña
    Elizabeth Peña
    • Marisa Estevalas Marisa Esteval
    Michael Carmine
    Michael Carmine
    • Carlosas Carlos
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    Dennis Boutsikaris
    • Mason Bayloras Mason Baylor
    Tom Aldredge
    Tom Aldredge
    • Sid Hogensonas Sid Hogenson
    Jane Hoffman
    • Muriel Hogensonas Muriel Hogenson
    John DiSanti
    John DiSanti
    • Gusas Gus
    John Pankow
    John Pankow
    • Kovacsas Kovacs
    MacIntyre Dixon
    • DeWittas DeWitt
    Michael Greene
    • Laceyas Lacey
    Doris Belack
    Doris Belack
    • Mrs. Thompsonas Mrs. Thompson
    Wendy Schaal
    Wendy Schaal
    • Pamelaas Pamela
    José Angel Santana
    • Goon #1as Goon #1
    • (as José Santana)
    James Le Gros
    James Le Gros
    • Goon #2as Goon #2
    • (as James LeGros)
    Ronald L. Schwary
    Ronald L. Schwary
    • Louieas Louie
    • (as Ronald Schwary)
    Susan Shoffner
    • Receptionistas Receptionist
    • Director
      • Matthew Robbins
    • Writers
      • Mick Garris(story by)
      • Brad Bird(screenplay by)
      • Matthew Robbins(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A group of tenants in an apartment block are being forced to move out so that it can be demolished. The tenants are reluctant to move, so the developers hire a local gang to 'persuade' them to leave. Fortunately, visiting alien mechanical life-forms come to town. When they befriend the tenants, the aliens use their extraterrestrial abilities to defeat the developers. —Rob Hartill
    elderly peoplecafecafe ownerproperty developerelderly protagonist92 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Five ordinary people needed a miracle. Then one night, Faye Riley left the window open.
    • Genres
      • Comedy
      • Family
      • Fantasy
      • Sci-Fi
    • Certificate
      • PG
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Originally intended to be a story featured in the TV series Amazing Stories (1985). Steven Spielberg liked the idea so much he decided to make it a theatrical release.
    • Goofs
      After Mason fights with his girlfriend, he throws his paintings out his window, which Marisa notices when she sees the paintings falling from his apartment about two floors above. When Mason and Marisa discover their items(Mason's door; Marisa's statue)fixed, Marisa comes out of her room, which is on the same floor as Mason's, which makes it impossible for Marisa to be about two floors down from Mason. One explanation is simple; Mason has a two story apartment. The next morning when Mason wakes up and sees the garbage truck leaving and his paintings gone, he runs down a flight of stairs and then out of his door. However, when Marisa comes out of her apartment, her door is on the opposite side of the building. So how Marisa saw them fall is still up in the air.
    • Quotes

      Frank Riley: The quickest way to end a miracle is to ask it why it is... or what it wants.

    • Crazy credits
      During the opening credits, pictures of young Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy are shown. This includes their actual wedding photo, since the actors (who often play a married couple on stage or in the movies) were married for decades.
    • Alternate versions
      When aired on KTLA in 1991, the following scenes were omitted: When Frank attempts to give Faye her medicine; Before Frank asks for somebody to help them, he breaks a vace and kicks a chair; a scene of Carlos and his gang planning; Frank and Faye are reading the newspaper and while one of the spaceships pours them coffee, Faye asks what ever happened to General Eisehower; Harry searches his room for his whistle; While Marissa, Hector and his friends hold a fiesta in the apartment, Mason sits outside and drinks.
    • Connections
      Featured in At the Movies: Moonstruck/Overboard/September/*Batteries Not Included/Ironweed (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Let's Have Another Cup of Coffee
      (uncredited)

      Written by Irving Berlin

      Performed by Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn

    User reviews90

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Sweet
    This movie sticks out of my memory from my childhood, because I remember it as a heart-warming tale, touching and tender. Today, I still like it, it continues to be a sweet story about ordinary people who find the extraordinary. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn are very good, and make the acting juice of this movie. Liked it, and am still able to see it anytime!
    helpful•37
    4
    • Dockelektro
    • Nov 22, 2001

    FAQ2

    • Where did the dog come from? It seems to suddenly appear with the group while they're out searching the streets. Are we to assume it was attracted by Harry's dog whistle and decided to stay with him?
    • What is Batteries Not Included about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 18, 1987 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Das Wunder in der 8. Straße
    • Filming locations
      • East Village, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
    • Production companies
      • Universal Pictures
      • Amblin Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $25,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $32,945,797
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $3,326,530
      • Dec 20, 1987
    • Gross worldwide
      • $65,088,797
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 46min
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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